The second season to decide whether the city of Russellville will elect its first incumbent mayor or swear in a new mayor in January begins at 8 a.m. Tuesday when early voting polls open in the Pope County Courthouse.

County Clerk Don Johnson explained residents can vote in the mayoral and Russellville City Council runoff elections from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday of this week, Monday through Friday (Nov. 18-22) and Monday, Nov. 25, prior to the Nov. 26 runoff election.

Russellville Mayor Raye Turner is seeking re-election to a four-term as mayor and an opportunity to become the city's first mayor to serve two consecutive terms. Her challenger is Alderman Ray Wewers, who explained he was elated, happy and excited after last Tuesday's general election.

"I'm raring to go again," Wewers said Friday night. "I'm going to keep doing the same thing that got me where I am now. I will continue visiting with the citizens of Russellville, keep talking to people and listening to them. I will keep the signs out there and stay visible."

Wewers and Turner both encouraged Russellville residents to vote early. Wewers said he believes there will still be a good amount of interest in the Nov. 26 runoff, which will also involve City Council Ward 3, Position 2 candidates Rick Harrell and Brenda McAnulty.

"I think there will still be a good amount of interest; however, it will not be as strong as the general election," Wewers stated, "because of the fact there are fewer things to vote on this time. One vote could be the whole difference in this runoff election."

Turner stated Friday she will continue to try to meet people, saying she appreciated and will continue to thank all those who gave her the most votes in the four-candidate mayoral race Nov. 5.

"I was and am extremely grateful for the vote of support and encouragement I have received to enter the last phase of this race," Turner explained. "I'm asking the citizens to keep proven leadership in the office of mayor."

The mayor pointed out she has demonstrated strong leadership in the operations of Russellville's government. She noted tax dollars have been maximized with more than $6 million in grants and partnerships obtained during her administration.

"Reputation is not made on what you are going to do, but rather on what you have already done," Turner said. "I welcome citizens to confirm my record of dedicated service to this community, schools, with organizations, on commissions and within my church. I sincerely want to continue giving to a community that has richly blessed my life."

While the mayor added she would ask the citizens of Russellville for the opportunity to remain in office and continue the positive approach and professional manner to move the city forward, Wewers explained he would offer a different style of management if he takes the oath of office on Jan. 1.

"I will let department heads run their departments," Wewers stated. "I would evaluate personnel and make improvements based on the evaluations of city employees. I would also want to begin working to improve relationships between our River Valley neighbors. If we communicate together and work together, I think we can resolve the issues we have been communities that we have previously fought in a court of law.

"If we do that, we can develop a better working relationship with neighboring communities, and work to attract more industry into the River Valley. People that work in other communities still come to Russellville to go to restaurants, to movies, to shop and spend a portion of their money here. If you look around Russellville, a lot of people that work at our industries live within Pope County and across the Arkansas River [Yell County] as well. We would all benefit if we could simply work together."